Glockoma 2

Key Glocks first full-length project since 2021s Yellow Tape 2 finds the Memphis rapper as determined and driven as ever. Acknowledging the loss of his close friend, cousin, and collaborator Young Dolph, he remains inspired to continue working on music at a productive pace. Most of the subject matter on Glockoma 2 is nothing new for the rapper -- the lyrics are generally focused on hustling hard to make as much money as possible, with detailed verses about sex, gun violence, and drugs. However, he maintains a skillful, seemingly effortless rhyming style, and some of the production is highly inventive, particularly "2 for 1," which switches the beat from eerie trap to almost bluesy keyboard licks, and the dizzying "From Nothing," with its tremolo guitar loops and pianos that seem at odds with the beat. Like most of Key Glocks other releases, Glockoma 2 sports no guest features. It debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200. ~ Paul Simpson

師匠ヤング・ドルフの悲劇を経験した後も精力的に動き、ペーパー・ルート・エンパイアの若き盟主としての奮闘してきたキー・グロック。公式アルバムとしては『Yellow Tape 2』(2021年)以来となるニュー・アルバムも、馴染みのバンドプレイらの超シンプルなビートに悠々と絡んでいく客演ナシの素っ気ない作りに変わりはないが、冒頭のドラマティックな"Dirt"から沼に引き込む歌い口は風格をいよいよ増している。そうでなくても帝国入りして最初の楽曲集だった人気ミックステープ『Glockoma』(2018年)の続編をわざわざ謳っていることを思えばこのタイミングにかける気合の大きさは窺い知れるはずだ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ